S. Studies Constitution Review Guide

Article I (1) Section 6

Congress will receive payment and it will be their only job!

The Three-Fifths Compromise bothered and confused Northern states. What was the settled deal on slavery?

The Slave Trade Compromise" settled the issues of slavery (or so they think...). It allowed the importing of slaves, but it would be illegal in 1808.

What are the protections discussed at the Second Continental Congress that ensure members of Congress would be able to do their jobs?

Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any Court, or place out of Congress, and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests and imprisonments, during the time of their going to and fro

-Under the VA Plan, what was the structure of the legislative branch

Two houses of proportional representatives

Under the VA Plan, what was the term limit of the Executive? Is this different from today?

One term limit under the VA Plan. It was different than today because the United States has set a term limit of 2 terms for the POTUS.

Under the VA Plan, how long were members of the Supreme Court appointed for?

Members of the Supreme Court would be appointed for life.

Under the NJ Plan, were the armed forces run by the Federal Government, the State Government, or both?

The Armed Forces (the military) would be run by both the Federal and State governments.

Under the NJ Plan, how long were members of the Supreme Court appointed for

For life, and they were nominated by the POTUS.

Under the NJ Plan, how long was a President going to be tenured?

One year.

Bicameral

having two houses of legislature. ? Virginia Plan

Unicameral

having one house of legislature. ? New Jersey Plan

How was the Connecticut Plan a combination of both plans (VA and NJ)?

They would compromise to have equal representation (Senate chamber), and proportional representation (House of Representatives chamber).

Southern states were concerned about their representatives in the House of Representatives. Why were the Southern States concerned, and what was the "compromise?

The Southern states wanted slaves, who were considered property and not people, to count toward the population so they'd have more representatives (votes) in the Legislative Branch (plus they wanted them to be tax-free). The "compromise" there was the "Th

Preamble

Introduction to the Constitution which meant: In order to make the US as dope as possible, for us and the future generations, this is our Constitution.....

Article I (1) Section 1

We will have a Legislative Branch, and it will be a House of Representatives and a Senate.

Article II (2) Section 1

Presidential term = 4 years (w/ VP). President must be a natural born citizen, 35 years old and 14 years a resident. President gets paid salary. If the president dies, the VP becomes president. Elections determined by an "Electoral College" (Electoral vot

Article II (2) Section 2

President is the commander in chief. President has the power to pardon people from prison sentences. President has the power to appoint Supreme Court Judges.

Article II (2) Section 4

President can be removed if they are convicted of treason, bribery or other "high crimes and misdemeanors.

Article III (3) Section 1

There will be a Supreme Court, and a series of federal courts beneath it.

Article IV (4) Section 3

New states will only be admitted with Congressional approval.

Who is "in charge" of the United States? Is it just one person, or are there multiple responsibilities?

The United States is not run by one single person, nor one single branch of government. The articles have established a series of "checks and balances" that make it necessary for collaboration and compromise to always be a part of our government.

Autocracy

a system of government by one person with absolute power.

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen. Only those in the royal family have a chance to rule the future generations.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect representatives to rule their government for them.

Oligarchy

a small group of people, or one political party, has all of the power and makes all decisions.

Anarchy

a lack of government and law; confusion. There is no definitive ruler.

Which of these types of government is the United States?

Representative Democracy

What are some reasons that government needs to be limited?

It needs to be limited for the people who may abuse that power once they have it. This has happened many times throughout history.

What are 2 reasons that a government should have a written constitution?

Explains what type of government exists
Explains how laws are made
Explains the responsibilities of citizens

What is the purpose of a "rule of law?" Who has to follow it?

To make sure their are guidelines for all people to follow. There is a special importance for members of our government to follow the rule of law.

What is the purpose of separating power in different governmental branches?

It ensures that no one person, or branch of government, attains too much power.

Explain how we (US citizens) can express our consent in government?

Our voting process tells our representatives that we are allowing them to govern. If we don't like the job they're doing, we don't vote for them.

What is the role of the "Vice President

They really don't do too much, but they are the "President" of the Senate and act as a tie-breaking vote.

How many terms can a president serve? When did this change?

The president can now serve two full terms. There used to be no term limits, but now there is the 22nd Amendment which was passed in 1951.

What is the role of a Senator?

Confirm treaties (? vote)
Confirm presidential appointments (simple majority = 51%)
Vote to remove those who've been impeached

What is the role of a Representative in the HoR?

Considers/proposes all bills dealing with money/taxes
Decides the presidency in case no one receives enough electoral votes
Votes on impeachment

How many members are in the Senate?

100

How many members are in the House of Representatives?

435

How many Supreme Court Justices occupy the Supreme Court?

9

What is their responsibility?

They make decisions about issues that act as laws in America that will directly affect people's lives.

What are the requirements to be nominated as a Supreme Court Justice?

There are actually no requirements in the Constitution for a Supreme Court Justice. There are just qualities a President and Senate are looking for.

What experiences is a President looking for while considering a nomination?

They ask these questions:
-Is there anything controversial about this person?
-As a judge, have they made any biased or incorrect rulings?
-Do they hold "extreme" views/opinions?
-Do they have a law degree?
-Have they had experience (like in the Court of

What are the steps that every Supreme Justice nominee goes through?

Presidential nomination
Background investigation
Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearings (they ask the candidate questions)
Committee votes and makes a recommendation to the entire Senate (full 100)
Senate debates the nomination
Senate votes to confirm/

Who is the "Chief Justice"?

John Roberts

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Under the VA Plan, what was the structure of the legislative branch?

Two houses of proportional representatives.

-Under the VA Plan, what was the term limit of the Executive? Is this different from today?

One term limit under the VA Plan. It was different than today because the United States has set a term limit of 2 terms for the POTUS.

-Under the VA Plan, how long were members of the Supreme Court appointed for

Members of the Supreme Court would be appointed for life.

-Under the NJ Plan, how long was a President going to be tenured?

One year.

-Under the NJ Plan, how long were members of the Supreme Court appointed for?

For life, and they were nominated by the POTUS.

-What is the difference between "bicameral" and "unicameral?" Which plans were examples of what?

Bicameral: having two houses of legislature. ? Virginia Plan
Unicameral: having one house of legislature. ? New Jersey Plan

-Southern states were concerned about their representatives in the House of
Representatives. Why were they concerned, and what was the "compromise?

The Southern states wanted slaves, who were considered property and not people, to count toward the population so they'd have more representatives (votes) in the Legislative Branch (plus they wanted them to be tax-free). The "compromise" there was the "Th

-The Three-Fifths Compromise bothered and confused Northern states. What was the settled deal on slavery?

The Slave Trade Compromise" settled the issues of slavery (or so they think...). It allowed the importing of slaves, but it would be illegal in 1808.

-How was the Connecticut Plan a combination of both plans (VA and NJ)?

They would compromise to have equal representation (Senate chamber), and proportional representation (House of Representatives chamber).

-Under the NJ Plan, were the armed forces run by the Federal Government, the State Government, or both?

The Armed Forces (the military) would be run by both the Federal and State governments.